S. Ga. university needs new president

February 10, 2005

Thomasville- In an unexpected move during yesterday's board meeting, Doctor John Hutchinson announced his resignation.

He's taken a position at another school, but isn't saying where just yet. No one on Thomas University's board of trustees saw it coming. But yesterday evening, President John Hutchinson hit them with the news of his decision . "We were certainly surprised doctor Hutchinson made this move. But we're very supportive in what he's doing.", says TU Board of Trustees Chairman Ed Davis.

It's a resignation Hutchinson says came during a pivotal point in his life. "If I'm going to make a move, now's the time to make a move. Or I'll be at a point where no one wants the old guy any longer.", says Hutchinson. He can't say where he's going, but he will say for him, its the best move. "The board of trustees where I'm going has not yet announced who the new president is. So they have asked me not to disclose that. I think that's fair enough so I've honored that request."

Along with the board, the students were taken aback. "I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't a shock. Because I personally didn't see it coming.", says TU Senior Stephen Jackson. But Doctor Hutchinson assures them T-U will keep going strong. And they support him. "He's done a tremendous job. He's done nothing but help this university.", adds Jackson.

It was a tough decision for a tough president. But Hutchinson says every project TU has started during his 4 year tenure, will continue even when he's gone.

Hutchinson's last day is July 31-st. The board of trustees says they're already searching hard for someone who will not be an interim president, but will come on-board full-time, immediately.